Chapter 770
Chapter 770
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 770
Chapter Title: Side Story 01: Twins and the Erotic Novel Contest (3)
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#Special Benefit 3
1.
"But.... I've never written anything like a novel before.... I haven't even read many books."
Sharon had boldly accepted the twins' proposal for a moment, but now faced with reality, she deflated.
Erotic novels.
Easier said than done.
Sharon had read a few famous sensual novels circulating in Gehenna, but the thought of writing one herself made her confidence wilt.
"Hmm, then we'll help you, Sharon sis."
"You two?"
"Yes! We have a reading club every afternoon tea time."
"We even took creative writing lessons from Miss Hathway."
That was right.
Magic didn't require just academic knowledge and computational skills.
Magic was fundamentally a high-level comprehensive discipline that demanded artistic inspiration and cultivation as well.
The three apprentice witches from a prestigious count family had taken various liberal arts classes too.
Even so, web novels were a completely new field for Odil and Odet.
If they had to write one without even knowing how to properly use the site yet, the difficulty would double.
"In return, Sharon sis, teach us about Assistant's homeland."
"Like, what kind of cultural vibe it has!"
"And show us how to use the site too!"
Snack culture was inevitably tied closely to the nation's own culture.
Sensing Sharon's advice would be a huge help, the two made a bold decision.
"I'll give you half the prize money as thanks for helping."
"We get half, you get half. How's that?"
The gift for Assistant could be covered by half the first-place prize anyway.
The point of the gift wasn't the price, but the effort and sincerity.
"You sure that's okay?"
"Of course! But...."
This was actually the most important part....
"Let us skip homework and classes."
If they could secure writing time, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
The twins.
Buying time with money!
2.
The twins, for the gift.
Sharon, to recover her losses.
The three gathered after classes ended, pooling their heads.
Sharon, revived like a wilted flower watered anew, spoke in a lively tone.
"First, we need to check the contest guidelines."
"The guidelines?"
"Yeah, we can't just write anything. Here they are."
"Oh? For real?"
"They're super long, so we skimmed them."
The twins had been too focused on the prize money to notice the detailed contest rules listed below on the page.
"Eligibility: Any adult writer can enter. We should check the length too—3,000 characters or more per chapter, excluding spaces."
"Excluding spaces?"
"Means count the characters without counting the spaces."
"Who has time to count that manually?"
"Don't worry, there's software for it."
The page also covered serialization rules, contest image usage, cover illustration levels, and more.
"These are important too, but.... Ah, there it is."
But those complicated details could be skimmed later.
"What?"
"Look here—judging criteria and notes. In contests like this, writing what the organizers want is key. But.... hard to tell from this alone...."
Sharon carefully examined the criteria—potential for growth, originality, expandability, mass appeal, and artistic merit—then glanced at the suddenly quiet twins.
Odil and Odet were staring at her with odd looks.
"W-what?"
"Sorry. Sis, we misjudged you all this time."
"You really are a grand witch."
"What! How'd you see me before?!"
""Nothing at all.""
Sharon felt oddly offended, but there was no time to bicker.
"How about we check out other erotic novels on Novelpia first?"
"Hmm.... Other novels?"
"Not really interested...."
Odil and Odet's reactions were lukewarm.
The reason was simple.
"Sharon sis, we're gonna write a masterpiece for the ages."
"Right! Better to brainstorm one more idea than read knockoffs."
Anyone could see the twins, who hadn't written a single word yet but aimed for first place, were caught up in beginner's arrogance.
The sensual novels they'd read—like Devilish Deliveryman or the Butterfly Count series—were excellent.
But they deluded themselves into thinking they could easily match that level.
"Well, we can always look after picking a theme."
Sharon, equally clueless about web novels, nodded in agreement.
For Sharon, who had lived as a debt-ridden witch right after becoming one, her writing experience was limited to contest entries for radio show prizes.
And so, at this branching point where their contest challenge was sinking into a quagmire....
-Bang!
"That's not gonna work!"
The classroom door burst open with a shrill shout.
Amid fluttering curtains and radiant light pouring in like a halo, a witch descended like a saint.
Breasts brimming with maternal love, hips radiating fertility.
A witch with silver hair streaked with gray and topaz eyes stood there.
"Countess Yesod?"
The sudden arrival of a third party made all three's eyes widen like saucers.
"Grasping reader needs before writing is a writer's essential virtue!"
The noblewoman passionately preaching writerly doctrine was Lucy Yesod.
Second to none in Gehenna's wealth, and a prolific erotic novelist active for decades.
Of course, the latter was a secret hobby she'd never revealed.
And four days after internet connected in Gehenna....
Countess Yesod had debuted as a Novelpia author faster than anyone.
Used to only hearing secretive praise in salons, real-time comments and donations were a whole new world!
Firing off 30 consecutive chapters a day, the pen name [Countess Ghost] exploded like a supernova—and that was Countess Yesod.
"Writing a masterpiece without proper input is arrogance! You'll only face failure, despair, and turn into a dark aspiring writer!"
Having fully internalized the web novel author mindset, Countess Yesod couldn't ignore overhearing the twins and Sharon's conversation.
"...S-sorry."
"......"
"......"
Sharon apologized reflexively, while the stunned twins gaped.
Realizing belatedly she'd gotten too heated, Countess Yesod gracefully pulled out a fan and fanned herself.
"A-anyway.... Don't take web novels lightly."
"Does the Countess know web novels well?"
"Sharon sis!"
"Shh, shh."
Odil and Odet showed reluctance at Countess Yesod's sudden meddling for a reason.
The twins were still apprentice witches.
In witch society, apprentices were isolated from men.
Exposure to male "pollution" could taint their vessel, barring them from full witch status.
If Countess Yesod learned the twins were entering an erotic novel contest?
She mingled often with their mentors.
Their rebellion would inevitably be reported, ears grabbed, and dragged away.
Smartphones confiscated, no doubt.
"No need to hide. I heard everything."
"Countess, please.... Can't you look the other way just this once?"
"We're doing this to buy a gift for Assistant! No weird thoughts at all!"
Sharon stepped in, realizing the twins' worries too late.
It wasn't because she feared losing the money-making chance, absolutely not.
"Countess, I'll take responsibility so the twins don't do anything bad. Please overlook it."
"Don't worry. I believe the brilliant apprentice witches of the Gemernai family won't falter over something this minor."
Neither the twins, who hadn't expected her to let it slide so easily, nor Sharon defending them, could hide their bewilderment.
"Ahem, first off, let's correct this: If you see sensual novels as mere vulgar outlets for lust.... That's a fundamental misconception."
"......?"
And with that, Countess Yesod launched into a full speech.
"Must male-female relations be hidden away? No! Art's essence is sublimation and transcendence!
Writing to resolve desires is a perfectly healthy act of self-cultivation!"
As a world-class CEO and standout grand witch, every word from Lucy Yesod carried overwhelming charisma that dominated the room.
"W-we're not really doing it to resolve desires though...."
"Shh, Odet! Quiet!"
Odet butted in cluelessly, Odil silencing her.
"But both Odil and Odet are still young witches, right? You'll need guidance to avoid straying in sensual novel writing, naturally."
The erotic novel veteran eyed the twins, reeking of newbie lewdness, with gleaming eyes.
Unable to resist her aura, the twins clutched hands, trembling.
"Y-yeah."
"So I'll personally teach you."
Leaving dazed Sharon behind, Countess Yesod joined the twins' contest party.
"W-what just happened...."
Odil and Odet's chaotic contest challenge continues!